Exodus 18

In this chapter, Moses is visited by his father-in-law, Jethro, who brings Moses' wife and children to him. Jethro observes Moses handling the judicial duties for the Israelites and suggests a better system for organizing leadership. This advice is practical and helps Moses to avoid burnout while establishing an effective judicial structure for the community.

Exodus 18:1-3
1 And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people—that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,
3 with her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land”).

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, who was a priest of Midian, hears about the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt. He brings Moses' wife, Zipporah, and their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to meet him. It appears that at some point earlier, Moses had sent his family back to Midian, possibly for their safety during his mission to Egypt. The name Gershom reflects Moses' experience of living as a foreigner in Midian, highlighting his separation from his people before God called him to lead Israel.

Exodus 18:4-6
4 And the name of the other was Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”);
5 And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God.
6 Now he had said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

The second son, Eliezer, is named to commemorate God’s protection and help when Moses fled from Pharaoh. Jethro arrives at the encampment near Mount Sinai, referred to as the "mountain of God," to reunite Moses with his family. This arrival sets the stage for Jethro to observe Moses’ leadership and offer crucial advice.

Exodus 18:7-8
7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent.
8 And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the Lord had delivered them.

Moses shows great respect to Jethro, bowing and greeting him warmly, reflecting the deep bond between them. Moses recounts the incredible acts of God, including the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and God's continued guidance and protection during their journey. This conversation prepares Jethro to recognize the Lord’s power and care for His people, leading to his praise and acknowledgment of God.

Exodus 18:9-12
9 Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10 And Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.”
12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. And Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

Jethro rejoices and acknowledges the greatness of the Lord, recognizing Him as superior to all other gods. His declaration reflects his faith in Israel’s God after hearing about His mighty acts. Jethro then offers sacrifices to God, an act of worship and thanksgiving. This gathering of leaders in fellowship also signifies the spiritual unity and gratitude for God’s deliverance.

Exodus 18:13-16
13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening.
14 So when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”
15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.
16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

Moses is shown as the sole judge of Israel, handling disputes and inquiries from morning until evening. Jethro notices how overwhelming this task is and questions why Moses is doing this alone. Moses explains that the people come to him to receive guidance on God’s laws and to have their conflicts resolved. However, this system is unsustainable, as it puts too much burden on Moses and slows the process for the people.

Exodus 18:17-18
17 So Moses' father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.
18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.

Jethro sees the inefficiency of Moses’ approach and warns that both Moses and the people will be exhausted by this method. By handling everything alone, Moses risks burnout and will be unable to fulfill his role effectively in the long term. Jethro’s concern is rooted in his care for both Moses and the people, and he seeks a solution that will provide relief and ensure justice is served more efficiently.

Exodus 18:19-23
19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God.
20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.
21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
22 And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.
23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”

Jethro advises Moses to delegate his responsibilities by appointing capable men who fear God and are trustworthy to serve as judges over smaller groups. Moses would handle only the most difficult cases, while the other leaders would take care of less significant matters. This system would prevent Moses from being overwhelmed and ensure the people's needs are met more efficiently. Jethro also emphasizes that this plan should be done with God's blessing.

Exodus 18:24-26
24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.
25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
26 So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.

Moses listens to Jethro’s advice and implements the suggested structure. He selects capable men to oversee various groups and delegates judicial responsibilities to them. This new system relieves Moses of much of the burden, allowing him to focus on more significant matters while ensuring that justice is administered consistently among the people.

Exodus 18:27
27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.

After giving his valuable counsel, Jethro departs to return to his own land. His brief visit had a lasting impact on Moses and the entire Israelite community, offering practical wisdom that allowed Moses to be a more effective leader while preventing exhaustion and ensuring that the people's needs were met efficiently.